Crime and Punishment — Vocabulary
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
58 top 1000
deliriumdeliriumdelirious:mentally confused
She should not be left alone in case the fever returns and makes her delirious.more
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it's simply the weakness of fever, a moment's delirium,57 more
state of mental confusion
Show general definition for delirium (as in: fever induced delirium) a usually brief state of mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations
Show editor's word notes Delirium can result from high fever, intoxication, withdrawal, brain injury, and many other causes.
34 top 1000
peasantpeasantpeasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more
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But you know, peasants live there, real rude Russian peasants.33 more
peasantpeasants:a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock (used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country)
Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country:  a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
23 top 500
recollectremember
I think I recollect that she was away at college that year.more
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I don't condemn her for it, I don't blame her, for the one thing left her is recollection of the past, and all the rest is dust and ashes.†22 more
recollectrecollection:memory
Show general definition to remember -- especially experiences from long ago
Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice):

Relative to its synonyms, recollect brings to mind a leisurely piecing together of distant memories. It may be used in a less formal manner than remember and is almost always less formal than recall.
21 top 200
moreoverin addition to what has just been said
The company has too much debt. Moreover, it is responsible for a long-term lease on expensive office space.more
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He hoped, moreover, that he would not fall down in the street.†20 more
21 top 1000
loathehate
I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more
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you are living in this filth which you loathe so,20 more
Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Show editor's word notes Word Confusion:  Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
17 top 500
inquiryinvestigation
The school launched an official inquiry into the allegations of cheating.more
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Excuse me, I fancied so from your inquiry.†16 more
questioning or investigating
Show general definition a question or investigation -- especially one meant to gather information or find out the truth
17 top 500
haughtyarrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.more
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A haughty smile appeared on his lips.16 more
arrogant or condescending; i.e., acting superior or self-important
23
trifletrifletrifling:unimportant
We all agree with the goal, but how to achieve it is not a trifling matter.more
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As for getting the axe, that trifling business cost him no anxiety, for nothing could be easier.22 more
trifletrifling:minor (unimportant or easily done)
Show general definition for trifle (as in: a trifling matter) something of small importance; or a small quantity
18 top 1000
deceivemislead
The plan was to deceive the Germans into believing the main attack would take place further north.more
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At least you didn't deceive yourself for long, you went straight to the furthest point at one bound.†17 more
lie or mislead
Show general definition to lie to or mislead someone -- occasionally to lie to oneself by denying reality
17 top 1000
perplexperplexperplexed:confused
She was perplexed by the rules of the game.more
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He vividly recalled those old doubts and perplexities,16 more
perplexperplexities:things that confuse
Show general definition to confuse
21 top 2000
rouserouseroused:awakened
A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more
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It was evident that that idea had very often occurred to her before and he had only roused it again.†20 more
rouseroused:to awaken, make more active, or excite
Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
16 top 1000
resolutedetermined and unwavering
She stood resolute as some complained that she was asking too much of the team.more
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During all this period Razumihin wore an air of resolute determination.†15 more
firm in purpose, belief, or action
Show general definition firm in purpose, belief, or action
20 top 2000
anguishpain
I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more
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He lay for half an hour in such anguish, such an intolerable sensation of infinite terror as he had never experienced before.†19 more
extreme pain, suffering, or distress
Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
20 top 2000
consciencemoral judgment of personal behavior
I have a guilty conscience and want to make it right.more
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In such cases, 'we overcome our moral feeling if necessary,' freedom, peace, conscience even, all, all are brought into the market.†19 more
feeling or appraisal of having personally behaved in a morally right or wrong manner
Show general definition feeling or judgment of morally right or wrong personal behavior
23
scoundrelsomeone without moral principles
He's a scoundrel. Don't trust him.more
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Granted, granted, I am a scoundrel, but she is a woman of a noble heart, full of sentiments, refined by education.†22 more
Show general definition someone without moral principles
16
contemptiblevery bad (deserving no respect)
She is uninformed and her views are contemptible.more
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There is one expression in the letter, one slander about me, and rather a contemptible one.†15 more
deserving no respect (worthless or of bad quality)
9
benefactorfinancial supporter
She is the largest benefactor of the museum.more
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It's remarkable, in fact, that the majority, indeed, of these benefactors and leaders of humanity were guilty of terrible carnage.†8 more
benefactorbenefactors:people who help a person or organization
Show general definition someone who helps a person or organization -- especially financially
9
interposeinterposeinterposed:inserted
She interposed herself between them before someone threw a punch.more
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"That's all true," Zossimov hastened to interpose.†8 more
insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
Show general definition to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
7 top 2000
impudentimproperly bold or disrespectful
She is an impudent girl given to insulting strangers.†more
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But she was obviously embarrassed at filling half the room and smelling so strongly of scent; and though her smile was impudent as well as cringing, it betrayed evident uneasiness.†6 more
Show general definition improperly bold or disrespectful -- especially toward someone who is older or considered to be of higher status
6 top 1000
vindictiveinclined to seek revenge or desirous of hurting others
Not being vindictive by nature, Grant did what he could to see that the Confederate prisoners were treated well.more
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"She is lying," he thought to himself, biting his nails vindictively.†5 more
vindictivevindictively:desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone
Show general definition desirous of seeking revenge or wanting to hurt someone